I just finished reading a biography of the greatest magician of all time, Howard Thurston (1869-1936), and the Zenda Waltzes was his theme song. I had never heard of the tune before, so thanx for this posting.
You are right in the sense that the industry would only last a few more years through around 1902, where because of a financial panic / recession coupled with advances in cylinder phonograph technology, plus the strides made by the upstart disc phonographs, the disc musical box industry took a huge hit (and some makers went out of business then and there). So- in terms of getting new discs with new tunes for your machine, it was definitely a shaky thing, although the industry was HUGE and successful in 1899 and so no one really saw the end coming so soon (and a few of the big makers like Regina lingered on through the 'teens, supplying new discs the whole time). However, in terms of getting something to last many lifetimes and be a joy for future generations there is no comparison. This size disc machine was the BIG one for Criterion / Olympia, and so this was a really NICE box to get at the time, from a musical perspective.
Are you sure about that? Because from a family point of view, buying this music box a pure gold investment. We're talking about a buying-Apple-stock-thirty-years-ago kind of investment. Not only it's such a great object itself, but they are incredibly rare and very expensive.
I am really enjoying your videos. As I listen I picture these beautiful pieces in a Victorian home, in the Victorian Era, with a pretty lady dressed in her Gibson Girl outfit, going about tidying up her home, while listening to these beautiful melodies. The workmanship that went into the cabinets, made these music boxes into pieces of lovely furniture, that people would be proud to showcase in their parlors. I have listened to both the Mira and this Olympia music box, and I have to say that the Mira wins hands down, in my opinion. It looks to me, the apparatus that plays the discs are better quality as are the holes that are in the parameter and the body of the disc, however the Olympia is also a very nice music box.
I just listened to one of these in my friend's home yesterday and although I've sold antiques from this era, I have never seen anything like this....it is the most wonderful Music Box!
This is how my Granny from England taught herself to play the PIANO! All those ornate flourishes and arpeggios, and brilliant fingerwork, galore, covering the entire keyboard -- this was how she played the piano! I ADORE this wonderful music box video, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting it!
Can we just appreciate a few things about this music box disk? 1. The song itself is basically stored in a digital MIDI format. There's real digital to analog conversion going on in this 1899 machine. 2. The outer part of the disk moves faster than the inner part. The designer had to account for this by adjusting the spacing of the holes depending on how far from the center the hole is. I'm sure misaligning a hole by even a millimeter messed up the song. 3. This thing sounds amazing.
Nowadays these music-boxes and chiming clocks are electronically imitated by some quartz clocks because they contains electronically recorded and programmed circuit board of sound chips connected to speaker. But they can't beat the real music-boxes and chiming clocks. Spring driven clocks have real chimes and quartz clocks do not have real chimes but they electronically imitates the music-box and chimes.
I know right? It makes me upset when I find a music box but has the song of Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, like what? I was expecting an old song from the 1800
Just stunningly beautiful the cabnetry and the song . And I saw on how its made they are still making the discs so this isnt a dead item , there are many of us who love them . I only have one song disc tannenbaum but it still brings greate joy . gurkirpal singh
Thanks for making the "Zenda Waltzes" available. They were written some time in the mid-1890s by Frank Witmark, and dedicated to the actor E. H. Sothern, who was playing at that time in "The Prisoner of Zenda". The waltzes were incorporated as incidental music throughout the play.
@mermodfreres Thanks so much, Jack! Always great to hear from you. I also enjoy that lovely early music box sound from the large Criterion and Olympia boxes. I'm sure that you will find one when you least expect it!
In my first 20.5" Olympia video, uploaded last Tuesday, I also brought the "Zenda Waltzes" as the 2nd disc of 3, which I got for this excellent instrument, bought in Rudesheim in late March. In the intro video I greeted 3 collector's from the States including you. The 2 videos are the newest ones on my channel - enjoy!
Doug....congrats on the beautiful new addition to your collection!!! I *soooo* miss my 20.5" Criterion -- had to trade it to get the 18" Mira.......I'll get another one some day!!
Thank you for sharing. I have an almost identical music box my family bought in the mid-1950s from an old gentleman in Stuttgart, Germany. The major difference is some ornate carving on the lid of the box, and inside is an almost photographic black and white depiction of fairies dancing around a fire. I've often thought I should get the music box appraised, but have never taken that step. Any idea of its value?
the condition is astounding! this is unreal! i cant believe how complex these songs are! a cd wouldnt last half the age of this. where did you come across this music box?
The sound is unique and appealing but unlike that of European music boxes. Thank you for posting. N.B. Music box music is best heard at a low volume setting.
This is a wonderful music box. I also have an Olympia 20.5" too. I am looking for some more metal disks to play. Do you have any source for these large 20.5" disks?
Hi, Thanks for your comments. I might consider selling some of my 20 1/2" Olympia discs. They're all in nice condition. If interested let me know how to contact you by email.
If you are looking for more, try Nancy Fratti in upstate NY: www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com/disclist.html also Elise Roenigk in Arkansas (see paragraph at bottom of listing page here): mechantiques.com/discmusicboxes.htm and also Bob Caletti in California: musicboxrestorations.com/category/disc-music-boxes/ Finally, Henstooth discs makes new custom discs of new tunes, recuts etc, although I don't know if they make Criterion/Olympia or not. You can ask!: www.henstoothdiscs.com/About.htm
Thank you for sharing this precious antique with us.
I just finished reading a biography of the greatest magician of all time, Howard Thurston (1869-1936), and the Zenda Waltzes was his theme song. I had never heard of the tune before, so thanx for this posting.
Music starts at 1:24
Buying a music box like this in 1899 was about as sound an investment as buying a state of the art VCR in 1999.
You are right in the sense that the industry would only last a few more years through around 1902, where because of a financial panic / recession coupled with advances in cylinder phonograph technology, plus the strides made by the upstart disc phonographs, the disc musical box industry took a huge hit (and some makers went out of business then and there). So- in terms of getting new discs with new tunes for your machine, it was definitely a shaky thing, although the industry was HUGE and successful in 1899 and so no one really saw the end coming so soon (and a few of the big makers like Regina lingered on through the 'teens, supplying new discs the whole time).
However, in terms of getting something to last many lifetimes and be a joy for future generations there is no comparison.
This size disc machine was the BIG one for Criterion / Olympia, and so this was a really NICE box to get at the time, from a musical perspective.
Are you sure about that? Because from a family point of view, buying this music box a pure gold investment. We're talking about a buying-Apple-stock-thirty-years-ago kind of investment. Not only it's such a great object itself, but they are incredibly rare and very expensive.
whimsical! I love the sound of big music boxes like this
I am really enjoying your videos. As I listen I picture these beautiful pieces in a Victorian home, in the Victorian Era, with a pretty lady dressed in her Gibson Girl outfit, going about tidying up her home, while listening to these beautiful melodies. The workmanship that went into the cabinets, made these music boxes into pieces of lovely furniture, that people would be proud to showcase in their parlors.
I have listened to both the Mira and this Olympia music box, and I have to say that the Mira wins hands down, in my opinion. It looks to me, the apparatus that plays the discs are better quality as are the holes that are in the parameter and the body of the disc, however the Olympia is also a very nice music box.
What a beautiful machine, look at that carving
I just listened to one of these in my friend's home yesterday and although I've sold antiques from this era, I have never seen anything like this....it is the most wonderful Music Box!
This is how my Granny from England taught herself to play the PIANO! All those ornate flourishes and arpeggios, and brilliant fingerwork, galore, covering the entire keyboard -- this was how she played the piano! I ADORE this wonderful music box video, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting it!
Can we just appreciate a few things about this music box disk?
1. The song itself is basically stored in a digital MIDI format. There's real digital to analog conversion going on in this 1899 machine.
2. The outer part of the disk moves faster than the inner part. The designer had to account for this by adjusting the spacing of the holes depending on how far from the center the hole is. I'm sure misaligning a hole by even a millimeter messed up the song.
3. This thing sounds amazing.
such a pretty sound ☺️
I love hearing the little one in the background at the very beginning, and love all you music boxes. Thanks for sharing with us.
Absolutely marvelous!!!
Thank you so much for sharing this gem!!!
Thank you for posting this video
Nowadays these music-boxes and chiming clocks are electronically imitated by some quartz clocks because they contains electronically recorded and programmed circuit board of sound chips connected to speaker. But they can't beat the real music-boxes and chiming clocks. Spring driven clocks have real chimes and quartz clocks do not have real chimes but they electronically imitates the music-box and chimes.
I know right? It makes me upset when I find a music box but has the song of Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande, like what? I was expecting an old song from the 1800
what a beautiful machine looks and sound
Beautiful.
I love mechanical things.
This is definately the coolest thing ever
Just stunningly beautiful the cabnetry and the song . And I saw on how its made they are still making the discs so this isnt a dead item , there are many of us who love them . I only have one song disc tannenbaum but it still brings greate joy . gurkirpal singh
holy crap, that's cool
Thanks for making the "Zenda Waltzes" available. They were written some time in the mid-1890s by Frank Witmark, and dedicated to the actor E. H. Sothern, who was playing at that time in "The Prisoner of Zenda". The waltzes were incorporated as incidental music throughout the play.
Awesome engineering.
Wow. Thank you.
This was posted the year I was born :) ❤
That is so beautiful:)! The sound quality is amazing for an antique:)! Nice, video:)!
@Westtoledoguy Thanks! Nice to hear from you.
Using this song for my fnaf fan game and now one can stop me
Beautifull
Its 2021 now .... How are you?
so beautiful
@mermodfreres Thanks so much, Jack! Always great to hear from you. I also enjoy that lovely early music box sound from the large Criterion and Olympia boxes. I'm sure that you will find one when you least expect it!
@demonbarber14 That's good to hear! You're very welcome.
@ybravura My pleasure. Thanks for the comments.
@oldbear52 You're very welcome. And thanks for the nice comments!
@JochenKopf Thanks Jochenkopf. Always nice to see your interesting comments. Stop by again anytime.
I want that for Christmas
@mayatatyana1 Thank you Maya! Glad you enjoyed this.
In my first 20.5" Olympia video, uploaded last Tuesday, I also brought the "Zenda Waltzes" as the 2nd disc of 3, which I got for this excellent instrument, bought in Rudesheim in late March. In the intro video I greeted 3 collector's from the States including you. The 2 videos are the newest ones on my channel - enjoy!
This video got me out of my bad mood! Thanks!
It's a real pleasure subscribing to your videos!
Doug....congrats on the beautiful new addition to your collection!!! I *soooo* miss my 20.5" Criterion -- had to trade it to get the 18" Mira.......I'll get another one some day!!
@amiedetherese Thanks for the wonderful comment! Good to hear from you again!
Wow, I have NEVER seen a music box like that.
Great.. Now i'm going to get killed in the next 10 seconds by a 6 ft animatronic bear
Thank you for sharing. I have an almost identical music box my family bought in the mid-1950s from an old gentleman in Stuttgart, Germany. The major difference is some ornate carving on the lid of the box, and inside is an almost photographic black and white depiction of fairies dancing around a fire. I've often thought I should get the music box appraised, but have never taken that step. Any idea of its value?
lovely
GERALD BLAIR ON VALINTINES DAY FEB 14 2019 I SAW AND HEARD THESE MUSIC BOX'S THE REGINA I LOVE THESE MUSIC BOX VIDEO'S
the condition is astounding! this is unreal! i cant believe how complex these songs are! a cd wouldnt last half the age of this. where did you come across this music box?
@digitalblasphemy1100 Thanks for the great comments!
I have a few of these discs, and was wondering if there is a recommended way to clean/wipe the dust and aging off of them.
The music begins at 1:23!
Sounds like something that belongs in an alternate version of fnaf
My friend wants to use it in a fan game.
You are right
No just no
people will hear anything relating to a music box and call it fnaf lmao
Oh no
The sound is unique and appealing but unlike that of European music boxes. Thank you for posting. N.B. Music box music is best heard at a low volume setting.
@famouswolfy Thanks!
Willkommen im Land der Träume
Wooooow!!!
is this disc number 51?
@Turkeydoodlers Always appreciate your comments Turkeydoodlers. Thanks for stopping in!
Amazing! How many voices (bells, plates, etc.) does it have, if not secret?
I came from tiktok, to actually listen how it sound like
SAME LOL
It was from This dude who pranked us
This is a wonderful music box. I also have an Olympia 20.5" too. I am looking for some more metal disks to play. Do you have any source for these large 20.5" disks?
Hi, Thanks for your comments. I might consider selling some of my 20 1/2" Olympia discs. They're all in nice condition. If interested let me know how to contact you by email.
ComicArt4u@comcast.net or facebook.com/bill.leach.37
If you are looking for more, try Nancy Fratti in upstate NY: www.nancyfrattimusicboxes.com/disclist.html
also Elise Roenigk in Arkansas (see paragraph at bottom of listing page here): mechantiques.com/discmusicboxes.htm
and also Bob Caletti in California: musicboxrestorations.com/category/disc-music-boxes/
Finally, Henstooth discs makes new custom discs of new tunes, recuts etc,
although I don't know if they make Criterion/Olympia or not.
You can ask!:
www.henstoothdiscs.com/About.htm
sold?
There is crop circles depicting these discs has anyone thought about reproducing them and playing them? It is a sound design after all 🤔
Play At -0.25 speed
1:24 Zenda: Waltzes. - F M Whitmark
Unlike records, if you scuff them it does not effect the music
💚💚"Beautiful Video!"💚💚 (Jesimiel Millar Fernåndez)💙💙 2M1K227 😍💕 CUPid!
alice in wonderland?
music
Who’s here from Fnaf?
Looks a bit like a coffin.